Broadcast/multicast based network discovery

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus, system and method for use of WLAN access enabled mobile devices such as notebooks and handheld communication devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to methodology whereby WiFi enabled devices can automatically select the appropriate service provider, in a power efficient manner, thereby taking advantage of different services offered by different service providers.

RELATED APPLICATION

None.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus, system and method foruse of WLAN access enabled mobile devices such as notebooks and handheldcommunication devices.

BACKGROUND

WiFi hotspots provide pubic WLAN access in many locations such asairports, hotels, coffee shops, etc. Multiple hotspot providers mayprovide overlapping service coverage in these areas. Roaming agreementsmay exist between different service providers. End users need to beaware of these roaming agreements and other available services to selectthe appropriate service provider and take advantage of differentservices offered.

The embodiments of the invention relate to methodology whereby WiFienabled devices can automatically select the appropriate serviceprovider, thereby taking advantage of different services offered bydifferent service providers.

Related art for WLAN network/service discovery relies on manual userintervention to identify capabilities or services offered at anyhotspot. In the absence of any advertisement mechanism, users will haveto first associate with the hotspot, if they can, and determine thecapabilities through manual exploration and manual entry, which is errorprone and very difficult to do from small form factor devices (apartfrom battery drain and longer times to connect). Embodiments of theinvention provide mechanisms for making the capability and serviceadvertisement available during pre-association phase to WLAN hotspotwhich a mobile station (“STA”) can use when discovering the service andselecting the network that offers the preferred capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an IEEE 802.11 based Reference Network;

FIG. 2 shows an example flow of advertisement mechanism;

FIG. 3 shows multicasting service discovery information in chunks atregular intervals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, embodiments of the invention may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structuresand techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure theunderstanding of this description.

The following glossary defines terms used herein unless a differentmeaning is assigned within the context of usage. The AuthoritativeDictionary of IEEE Standards Terms, Seventh Edition, should bereferenced for terms not otherwise defined herein.

Acronym Definition 3GPP 3^(rd) generation Partnership Project 3GPP23^(rd) generation Partnership Project 2 AAA Authentication,Authorization Accounting AdvS Advertising Server AP Access Points AR IEAccess Request Information Element BC Broadcast DoS Denial of ServiceB-SNA Beacon-Start of Network Advertising BWA Broadband wireless accessDTI Delivery Traffic Indication DTIM Delivery Traffic Indication MessageIEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers IMS IP MultimediaSubsystem IPTV Internet protocol television L2 Level 2 of the OSInetworking model LAN Local area network MAC Medium Access Control MCMulticast MCA Multicast address MIH Media independent handover NAINetwork Access Identifier NA Network Advertising NAP Network AccessProvider OFDM Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing OFDMAOrthogonal frequency-division multiple access OSI Open SystemsInterconnection OTA Over The Air PHY Physical Layer QoS Quality ofService SNA Start of Network Advertising SSID Service set identifierSSPN Subscription Service Provider Network STA Station TBTT TargetBeacon Transmission Time TSF Time synchronization function TU Time unitWiMAX World Interoperability for Microwave Access WLAN Wireless LocalArea Network

WiFi refers to wireless communication technology usable by both mobileand fixed communication devices. Mobile wireless technology may bespecified in IEEE Standard 802.11, “Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications” and amendments thereto(hereinafter “IEEE 802.11” or “802.11”). In particular, 802.11 Amendment7, “Interworking with External Networks” may be referred to as “IEEE802.11u” or “802.11u.” Wireless technology used by fixed wirelesscommunication devices may be specified in IEEE Standard 802.16, “AirInterface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Systems” and amendments thereto(hereinafter “IEEE 802.16” or “802.16”). It will be understood as usedherein that “wireless,” “wireless technology,” and similar terms mayrefer to either 802.11 or 802.16 unless expressly limited otherwise.

The purpose of IEEE 802.11 is to provide wireless connectivity toautomatic machinery, equipment, or stations that require rapiddeployment, which may be portable or hand-held, or which may be mountedon moving vehicles within a local area. This standard also offersregulatory bodies a means of standardizing access to one or morefrequency bands for the purpose of local area communication. IEEE802.11u specifies enhancements to 802.11 that support WLAN Interworkingwith External Networks, facilitating higher layer functionalities. IEEE802.11u improves information transfer from external networks, aidingnetwork selection, and enabling emergency services. IEEE 802.11 andamendments are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The purpose of IEEE 802.16 is to specify the air interface of fixedbroadband wireless access (BWA) systems supporting multimedia services.The medium access control layer (MAC) supports a primarilypoint-to-multipoint architecture, with an optional mesh topology. TheMAC is structured to support multiple physical layer (PHY)specifications, each suited to a particular operational environment. Foroperational frequencies from 10-66 GHz, the PHY is based onsingle-carrier modulation. For frequencies below 11 GHz, wherepropagation without a direct line of sight must be accommodated, threealternatives are provided: orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing(i.e., WirelessMAN-OFDM or “OFDM”); orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiple access (i.e., WirelessMAN-OFDMA or “OFDMA”); and orthogonalfrequency-division using single-carrier modulation (i.e.,WirelessMAN-SCa or “single-carrier modulation”). IEEE 802.16 andamendments are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

WiFi hotspots provide pubic WLAN access in many locations such asairports, hotels, coffee shops, etc. and may provide various servicessuch as internet access, streaming video (e.g., IP TV), IMS, and onlinegames. Multiple hotspot providers may provide overlapping servicecoverage in these areas. A roaming mobile device that is enabled forwireless communication may be within the coverage area of more than onenetwork access point. The ability of a mobile device to choose fromamong the available network access points in the past has been limited.The mobile device may not be able to connect to the network at allrequired levels of the networking mode. (e.g., at L2, but not at thenetwork layer). Another shortcoming is that if several networks areavailable to choose among, one network may be preferred but the mobiledevice may also connect to a different network based on signal strengthcriteria alone. This problem could extend to multiple interfaces as thenumber of interfaces on the mobile device increases.

A roaming mobile device that is enabled for wireless communication mayenter and exit the coverage area of various network access points. Theprocess of transitioning network access from one network access point toanother is referred to as “handover.” Handover may be a homogeneous(“horizontal”) event within a single network, and used primary forlocalized or limited mobility, for instance multiple 802.11 accesspoints within a single LAN. Handover may also be a heterogeneous(“vertical”) event in which the handover occurs across different typesof networks, and is used primarily for more global mobility. Verticalhandover offers more opportunities for optimizing the handover process.

Standardized handover protocols have been proposed in draft IEEEStandard 802.21, “Media Independent Handover Services” and amendmentsthereto (hereinafter “IEEE 802.21” or “802.21”). IEEE 802.21 andamendments are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. IEEE802.21 defines a common media independent handover (MIH) functionbetween Layer 2 and Layer 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”)network stack, which enables mobility across heterogeneous networks. Byallowing client devices and networks to work cooperatively during thesenetwork transitions, IEEE 802.21 provides mechanisms for optimizinghandovers across Wi-Fi, WiMAX and cellular radios that will dramaticallyenhance the user's mobile experience. The intended application of IEEE802.21 is primarily for vertical handovers, but it can also be used forhomogeneous handovers. IEEE 802.21 enables co-operative handoverdecision making between clients and network. Media specific changesclosely follow the base 802.21 media independent handover (“MIH”)protocol.

IEEE 802.21 can provide a way for end users to select the mostappropriate provider, and this selection may change with time, location,or type of service. Benefits of 802.21 include optimum networkselection, seamless roaming to maintain connections, and lower poweroperation for multi-radio devices.

Supporting concurrent multiple radios presents unique mobility-relatedand platform-related challenges. Client devices must be capable ofautomatically detecting and selecting the best wireless network andproviding a seamless transition from one network to another. Emergingmobility standards are needed to enable handovers and also to enableterminal mobility across multiple points of attachment as changes inuser environments make one network more attractive than another.

The standards address two kinds of handover: homogeneous handovers andheterogeneous handovers. Homogeneous handovers across similar points ofattachment such as Wi-Fi Access Points (“APs”), and WiMAX base stationswithin a single network, are handled by the technology standards of therespective access networks. IEEE 802.11k and 802.11r address mobility inWLAN networks. IEEE 802.16e augments mobility in WiMAX (802.16), andmobility in cellular networks is enabled by 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards.Heterogeneous handovers are defined as handovers across differentnetworks and are applicable to multiradio client platforms. The emergingIEEE 802.21 standard addresses mobility across heterogeneous networks.

The embodiments of the present invention include a method for wirelessdiscovery of network services by one or more wireless clients. Themethod includes transmitting a probe request from a first networkingclient to a network access point, wherein the first networking clienthas a wireless communication capability; then

receiving a probe response, from the network access point, by the firstnetworking client, wherein the probe response includes an indication ofnetwork services available to the first networking client.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may furtherinclude calculating service availability from the probe response.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may furtherinclude ranking service provider preference based on the probe response.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may furtherinclude using a beacon to formulate the probe request.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may furtherinclude using the probe response to formulate a second probe request.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may becharacterized by probe request being created using specific deviceconfiguration information of the wireless networking client.

Optionally, this method by the wireless networking client may furtherinclude operating using a wireless network protocol selected from thegroup consisting of IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16 and WiMAX.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a method for wirelessdiscovery of network services by a first wireless client. The methodincludes receiving a probe response from the network access point, bythe first wireless networking client, in which the probe response hadbeen transmitted in broadcast mode in response to a probe request from asecond wireless networking client; furthermore, the probe responseincludes an indication of network services available to the secondwireless networking client. The first wireless networking client thenuses data from the probe response to configure communication access bythe first wireless networking client.

Optionally, this method by the first wireless networking client mayfurther include calculating service availability from the proberesponse, and ranking service provider preference based on the proberesponse.

Embodiments of the present invention also include an apparatus toperform wireless discovery of network services. The apparatus includes aprocessor configured to create a probe request; a wireless transmitterin communication contact with the processor, with the wirelesstransmitter configured to transmit the probe request; a wirelessreceiver in communication contact with the processor, with the wirelessreceiver configured to receive a probe response. The probe responseincludes an indication of wireless network services available to theapparatus.

Optionally, this apparatus to perform wireless discovery of networkservices may operate with the IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16 or WiMAXcommunications protocol.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a system for wirelessdiscovery of network services, including a network access point, havinga first processor, configured to receive a probe request from a firstnetworking client, in which the first processor creates a primaryadvertisement query from the probe request. The system also includes aNetwork Advertising Provider Advertising Server (“NAP AdvS”), incommunication contact with the network access point, configured toreceive the primary advertisement query from the network access point.The system also includes a second processor, within the NAP AdvS, inwhich the second processor is configured to determine a primaryadvertisement response, wherein the primary advertisement response iscommunicated from the NAP AdvS to the network access point. The firstprocessor creates a query response for transmission to the firstnetworking client, using information from the primary advertisementresponse.

Optionally, this system for wireless discovery of network services mayinclude a Subscription Service Provider Network advertising server(“SSPN AdvS”) in communication contact with the NAP AdvS. The NAP AdvSis configured to transmit a secondary advertisement query to the SSPNAdvS. A third processor is located within the SSPN AdvS, wherein thethird processor is configured to determine a secondary advertisementresponse, wherein the secondary advertisement response is communicatedfrom the SSPN AdvS to the NAP AdvS. The second processor then createsthe primary advertisement response for transmission to the networkaccess point, using information from the secondary advertisementresponse.

Optionally, this system for wireless discovery of network servicesfurther includes a plurality of wireless networking clients, in which atleast one of the plurality of wireless networking clients does nottransmit a probe request, but can receive and act upon a probe response.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a method for wirelessdiscovery of network services, by a server of wireless networking,including receiving a probe request from a first networking client, by anetwork access point; creating a primary advertisement query from theprobe request by the network access point; transmitting the primaryadvertisement query from the network access point to a NAP AdvS incommunication contact with the network access point; creating a primaryadvertisement response by the NAP AdvS; transmitting the primaryadvertisement response from the NAP AdvS to the network access point;and using information from the primary advertisement response to createa composite query response for transmission to the first networkingclient.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, may further include transmitting asecondary advertisement query from the NAP AdvS to the SSPN AdvS;determining a secondary advertisement response, by the SSPN AdvS, usingthe secondary advertisement query; transmitting the secondaryadvertisement response from the SSPN AdvS to the NAP AdvS; and usinginformation from the secondary advertisement response to create theprimary advertisement response for transmission to the network accesspoint.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, may be further characterized by the queryresponse being transmitted in broadcast mode, suitable for reception bya networking client different than the first networking client.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, may be further characterized by thesecondary advertisement response being formed by analyzing systemcapability by the SSPN AdvS.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, may be further characterized by thecomposite query response being queued in the network access point.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, further includes transmitting thecomposite query response such that it includes forming a plurality ofsections of the composite query response; transmitting a plurality ofmessages, wherein each message includes at least one section of thecomposite query response.

Optionally, the method for wireless discovery of network services, by aserver of wireless networking, is further characterized by the compositequery response being transmitted as at least one multicast message.

FIG. 1 provides exemplary reference configurations of an 802.11reference network. Hot spots 1 and 2 could be using a common NetworkAccess Provider (“NAP”) that provides a broadcast of the communicationcapability of the hot spot and a broadcast or advertisement of theservices offered and AAA services. The hotspots may also obtain theseadvertised services from different Subscription Service Provider Network(“SSPN”) providers through the NAP core network. The advertisementinformation may include SSPN name, service set identifier (“SSID”),inter-working services, enrollment information, etc. The NAP AAA serverauthenticates customers of the NAP onto their network. The NAP AAA alsoacts as a proxy server to relay client authentication informationrequests to the SSPN AAA servers, and routes the authentication requestsbased on Network Access Identifier (NAI).

For seamless handovers between different networks and for optimumselection of different networks, clients need to be able to findback-end networks with favorable roaming agreements. Clients need to beable to receive the advertised capabilities from SSPNs and roamingpartners, and be able to request more information about availableservices, so that clients can make use of the information during itsnetwork selection. This process is referred to as the service discoveryprocess.

There are at least three issues in the service discovery process. First,clients may request information based on their specific deviceconfiguration, and the requests may require the clients to use multipleprotocols to query the information. Second, multiple clients may queryfor the same information and hence information needs to be provided in amanner that provides an efficient usage of power and bandwidth, whileminimizing adverse impact to other clients. Third, because a client maynot know in advance which networks the client can connect to, the clientmay query this information when not associated with a particular publicWLAN. The client will scan and retrieve information from multiplenetworks, which can lead to large power consumption depending on thenumber of available networks, thereby draining battery power. Thereforeclients need to retrieve this information in a power efficient manner.

FIG. 2 presents an embodiment of the present invention providing amethod that has improved service discovery. Prior to performing themethod, the AP may periodically transmit a beacon 1 (“advertising beacon1”) that advertises capabilities of the AP, such as the advertisingprotocol that the AP supports.

Prior to performing the method, the client has completed network entryand an initial attach procedure. The client is able to send and receiveframes from the AP, but the client has not been authenticated with thenetwork and hence the client cannot access network services. The methodof FIG. 2 is performed by: First, the client makes a probe request 10which includes a query of services available through the AP. The proberequest 10 is made using a protocol determined by the client aftermonitoring the advertising beacon 1 from the AP. The probe request 10includes a request identifier Access Request Information Element (“ARIE”), which uniquely identifies the probe request 10. The AP may use theprobe request 10 to formulate an advertisement query 20 to requestadvertisement information from an advertising server. The probe request10 is more fully described in IEEE 802.11u.

When the AP receives a probe request 10 from a client, the AP confirmsreceipt of request by returning to the client a probe response 15, whichincludes the pass/fail status of the request; the AR IE requestidentifier; and the multicast address (“MCA”) to which the response issent. Including the AR IE in the response from the AP allows the clientto match a response from the AP with a request sent by the client bymatching the AR IE returned by the AP with the AR IE sent by the client.

In some cases the AP can prepare a probe response 15, responding to theprobe request 10, based on information cached within the AP. In othercases, the AP may have to query the NAP server and get a response fromthe NAP server to respond to the probe request 10. The Access Point(“AP”) will form an advertisement query 20 to relay the probe request 10to a NAP Advertising Server (“AdvS”). If the NAP AdvS is not able tosatisfy the query, the NAP AdvS will relay the advertisement query 20 toan SSPN AdvS using a secondary advertisement query message 21 shown inFIG. 2. The connection between the AP AdvS and the NAP AdvS may beimplemented at either L3 (i.e., the IP layer of communication), or at L2(i.e., the data link layer of communication), therefore theadvertisement query 20 can be transmitted at either L3 using an IPframe, or L2.

The NAP and SSPN Advertising Servers store information about thecapabilities of network and the services they provide, and can help theclient determine whether or not it is possible or feasible to connect tothese NAP and SSPN Advertising Servers. For instance, if the clientneeds VoIP/IPTV or gaming services and if the network does not providethese services, then it would not be feasible for the client to connectto the network. The procedure begins by having the client request whatservices are provided by the network. The NAP and SSPN AdvS analyzesystem capability and respond back appropriately with the servicesprovided by the network. In some cases a NAP may have all theinformation, whereas in other cases the NAP may have to redirect therequests to specific operators that may maintain their own SSPN AdvS andgenerate the appropriate response based on the query from the client.

Any response to the advertisement query (i.e., an advertisementresponse) from the NAP AdvS or SSPN AdvS is sent to the AP via one ormore Advertising Response 25 messages. The AP then transmits back to theclient a plurality of multicast Action Frames in response to the proberequest 10 from the client, containing an encapsulated query response 30(i.e. “MC (Query Response)”), wherein a multicast frame is a frame thatis addressed to a plurality of recipients. The first MC (Query Response)message is included with the B-SNA beacon. The query response 30includes action frames transmitted in clear text, wherein in a furtherembodiment the reliability of the transmission is improved by, forexample, transmitting each advertising frame several times. If anyadditional advertisement responses 25 have been received from the NAPAdvS, or secondary advertisement responses 24 from the SSPN AdvS, thoseresponses are passed to the client using additional MC (Query Response)messages 30. Details of the structure of these messages are provided inIEEE 802.11u.

Action Frames that follow the beacon are used to relay the QueryResponse 30, the Action Frame being a message format defined by 802.11that provides a mechanism for specifying management actions. Anembodiment of the invention includes that the Query Response 30 may bedivided into portions called “chunks,” and then be transmitted to theclient in chunks having a size determined by the AP based on the size ofthe response message and based on how much time it would take to send achunk based on network speed. The chunks are sent at regular intervalsas part of every “Nth” periodic beacon messages, wherein “N” is denotedby the DTIM interval.

Although a single client may have transmitted the probe request 10,multiple clients may be interested in the response. This situation mayarise when there is a surge of clients attempting to access services ona network, for instance in an airport lounge when passengers exit anarriving airplane. In such situations, the clients will all need thesame type of information, and network efficiency would be improved ifall clients could receive the Query Response 30, sent as a multicast inresponse to the first Probe Request 10. Embodiments of the presentinvention make the response from the AP available to multiple clients,including silent clients, by using broadcast and/or multicast messagesto transmit the advertising response from the AP. These silent clientsignore the AR IE field. Embodiments of the present invention provideimproved use of radio frequency (RF) spectrum and the bandwidth. Systemthroughput is improved because the silent clients avoid the need totransmit a Probe Request 10, resulting in less message trafficcontending for bandwidth over the air, and removing from the AP theburden of responding to duplicative Probe Requests 10. The silentclients are able to monitor the availability of services, and are ableto improve their connections at a later time with any changes inavailable services, link conditions, or the silent client's servicerequirements.

By having the AP send the query response 30 in a broadcast/multicastmanner, the silent clients can determine network capability withouthaving to transmit an advertisement query 10, thereby conserving powerin the client, reducing usage of transmission bandwidth, and increasingMAC efficiency. Because the information is sent in small chunks, thebeacon message containing this information is relatively short, therebyreducing the disruption to other routine network operations.

FIG. 3 presents an example of a sequence of beacon transmissions, with aDTIM interval of 3, wherein the DTIM interval indicates the proportionof the total number of beacons to the number of beacons containing theDTIM information chunks 45. For instance, a DTIM interval of “3”indicates that every third beacon contains an information chunk 45. Eachof the beacon transmissions having a DTIM information chunk 45 isreferred to as a “DTIM beacon 40.” Because beacon messages aretransmitted at fixed times known in advance, the DTIM beacons 40 can bespaced out, thereby reducing the distortion in the duration and relativetiming of each beacon. Information chunks 45 are transmitted inbroadcast and multicast format, commencing immediately after the DTIMbeacon 40. B-SNA 50 is the Beacon-Start of Network Advertising.

Beacons are sent at regular intervals and are usually of a fixed numberof bits, as shown in FIG. 3 by the hollow bars, bearing various fieldsof information that may be received by any client, or any mobileterminal attempting to become a client. DTIM beacons 40 are a subset ofnormal beacons, wherein DTIM beacons 40 occur periodically after apredetermined number of normal beacons have elapsed. DTIM beacons 40contain a special flag denoting that beacon as the start of a DTIMframe. After each DTIM beacon 40, additional information is sent inadditional chunks 45 as indicated by the shaded bars. FIG. 3 illustratesthe DTIM 40 beacon and additional chunk 45 transmitted in place of everythird normal beacon. One field within a DTIM beacon 40 is the DTIMinterval. Clients, knowing which beacons are DTIM beacons 40 frommonitoring the flag, can extract the DTIM interval from the DTIM beacon40.

B-SNA 50 is an otherwise normal, non-DTIM beacon that signals the Startof Network Advertising. The B-SNA interval is “N” times the DTIMinterval with offset of +1, wherein the offset refers to the location ofthe query response 30 with respect to the next B-SNA beacon 50; “N” isconfigurable and an offset of +1 helps ensure that the B-SNA beacon 50does not collide with the DTIM beacon 40. Typical values of N producesB-SNA every 1-2 seconds.

Immediately after a B-SNA beacon 50 is sent, a Network Advertising (NA)frame begins. NA frames are transmitted as clear text (i.e., notencrypted), in multicast action frames. However, unlike a BC/MCinformation chunk 45, in which a chunk 45 of the Query Response 30 isbroadcast/multicast after a DTIM beacon 40, NA frames can have otherintervening in time unicast frames (i.e., a frame intended for only onehost), for instance QoS frames. Since information is sent in smallchunks that are spread out over time, the change to the starting time ofthe next B-SNA beacon 50 is minimized, producing a small shift in time,thereby minimizing the jitter of the beacon. The B-SNA beacon 50contains the B-SNA count and the data buffered bit so that the clientcan predict the TSF time when network advertisements will start andwhether any advertisements will be sent after the B-SNA beacon 50.

B-SNA also includes a configured “Time to Suspend” field, which is theamount of time in TUs that an AP will schedule NA frames fortransmission after the Target Beacon Transmission Time (“TBTT”) forB-SNA. After expiration of this time, no more NA frames will betransmitted until the next B-SNA beacon 50.

If additional advertising frames are queued in the AP, then a “MORE”data bit in the multicast action frame is set to indicate thatadditional advertising frames are queued.

Embodiments of the present invention offer solutions providing muchbetter system operation and improved user experiences. Other keyadvantages include: Susceptibility to a Denial of Service (“DoS”) attackis minimized because the network manages bandwidth consumption over theair; More efficient utilization of bandwidth and spectrum bymulticasting the responses based on specific user query, and by the APlimiting probe requests 10 if needed; Network efficiency is improvedbecause an un-associated client never gets its frames passed intonetwork; and less power is required by clients, because clients wake uponly at predetermined points in time.

This application may disclose several numerical range limitations thatsupport any range within the disclosed numerical ranges even though aprecise range limitation is not stated verbatim in the specificationbecause the embodiments of the invention could be practiced throughoutthe disclosed numerical ranges. Finally, the entire disclosure of thepatents and publications referred in this application, if any, arehereby incorporated herein in entirety by reference.

1. A method for wireless discovery of network services, comprising:transmitting a probe request from a first networking client to a networkaccess point, wherein the first networking client has a wirelesscommunication capability; and receiving a probe response, from thenetwork access point, by the first networking client, wherein the proberesponse includes an indication of network services available to thefirst networking client.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:calculating service availability from the probe response.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: ranking service provider preferencebased on the probe response.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: using a beacon to formulate the probe request.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: using the probe response to formulate asecond probe request.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the proberequest is created using a specific device configuration information ofthe first networking client.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thewireless communication capability is operating using a wireless networkprotocol selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16and WiMAX.
 8. A method for wireless discovery of network services by afirst networking client, comprising: receiving a probe response from thenetwork access point, by the first networking client, wherein the proberesponse was transmitted in broadcast mode in response to a proberequest from a second networking client, wherein the probe responseincludes an indication of network services available to the secondnetworking client; and using data from the probe response to configurecommunication access by the first networking client.
 9. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: calculating service availability from theprobe response; and ranking service provider preference based on theprobe response.
 10. An apparatus to perform wireless discovery ofnetwork services comprising: a processor configured to create a proberequest; a wireless transmitter in communication contact with theprocessor, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit the proberequest; a wireless receiver in communication contact with theprocessor, the wireless receiver configured to receive a probe response,wherein the probe response includes an indication of network servicesavailable to the apparatus.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thewireless transmitter operates with a communications protocol selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16 and WiMAX.
 12. Asystem for wireless discovery of network services comprising: a networkaccess point, having a first processor, configured to receive a proberequest from a first networking client, wherein the first processorcreates a primary advertisement query from the probe request; a NetworkAdvertising Provider Advertising Server, in communication contact withthe network access point, configured to receive the primaryadvertisement query from the network access point; a second processor,within the Network Advertising Provider Advertising Server, wherein thesecond processor is configured to determine a primary advertisementresponse, wherein the primary advertisement response is communicatedfrom the Network Advertising Provider Advertising Server to the networkaccess point, wherein the first processor creates a query response fortransmission to the first networking client, using information from theprimary advertisement response.
 13. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising: a Subscription Service Provider Network advertising serverin communication contact with the Network Advertising ProviderAdvertising Server, the Network Advertising Provider Advertising Serverconfigured to transmit a secondary advertisement query to theSubscription Service Provider Network advertising server; a thirdprocessor, within the Subscription Service Provider Network advertisingserver, wherein the third processor is configured to determine asecondary advertisement response, wherein the secondary advertisementresponse is communicated from the Subscription Service Provider Networkadvertising server to the Network Advertising Provider AdvertisingServer, wherein the second processor creates the primary advertisementresponse for transmission to the network access point, using informationfrom the secondary advertisement response.
 14. The system of claim 12,further comprising: a plurality of network elements, wherein at leastone of the plurality does not transmit a probe request, but can receiveand act upon a probe response.
 15. A method for wireless discovery ofnetwork services, comprising: receiving a probe request from a firstnetworking client, by a network access point; creating a primaryadvertisement query from the probe request by the network access point;transmitting the primary advertisement query from the network accesspoint to a Network Advertising Provider Advertising Server incommunication contact with the network access point; creating a primaryadvertisement response by the Network Advertising Provider AdvertisingServer; transmitting the primary advertisement response from the NetworkAdvertising Provider Advertising Server to the network access point; andusing information from the primary advertisement response to create acomposite query response for transmission to the first networkingclient.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: transmitting asecondary advertisement query from the Network Advertising ProviderAdvertising Server to the Subscription Service Provider Networkadvertising server; determining a secondary advertisement response, bythe Subscription Service Provider Network advertising server, using thesecondary advertisement query; transmitting the secondary advertisementresponse from the Subscription Service Provider Network advertisingserver to the Network Advertising Provider Advertising Server; and usinginformation from the secondary advertisement response to create theprimary advertisement response for transmission to the network accesspoint.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the query response istransmitted in broadcast mode, suitable for reception by a networkingclient different than the first networking client.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the secondary advertisement response is formed byanalyzing system capability by the Subscription Service Provider Networkadvertising server.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the compositequery response is queued in the network access point.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein transmitting the composite query response furthercomprises: forming a plurality of sections of the composite queryresponse; transmitting a plurality of messages, wherein each messageincludes at least one section of the composite query response.
 21. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the composite query response is transmittedas at least one multicast message.